We have a red tipped photinia hedge outside our bathroom window which has historically held Northern Cardinal families each spring. The other day, I heard the loud singing of a Carolina Wren after exiting the same nest to perch upon a nearby tree.

Since, I have watched this Wren disappear into the shrub often with a leaf or other brush in its mouth, wildly shake the leaves about as it builds upon this two-family nest, and then flies out the top of the hedge in search of more building material.

Argh! My birdfeeders are being emptied by an extended family of squirrels! The other day, I opened my blinds to 5 squirrels in various locations around my yard and thought, "Isn't there another feeder they can feast at?"

How do you handle the "squirrel problem"? I'm interested in any advice you can offer!

Tbird

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This weekend I visited Houston, Texas for a taekwondo tournament that my daughter was competing in. Of course, like any proud mother, I had my camera with me to capture great pictures of her first black belt tournament while she competed to share with our family.

Fifteen years ago I moved from Boston to Texas. I was thrilled that as a novice birder (even more novice than I am now :) I had compiled a list of "backyard journal" some thirty birds spotted from my yard--a 6000 square foot postage stamp of a place.

I remember some thrilling times in that entry period: seeing and hearing the deep, resonant song of a Baltimore Oriole, spotting my first brilliantly colored American Goldfinch, learning the difference between a Purple Finch and a House Finch, and in a bittersweet experience, seeing my first Cedar Waxwing but alas, dead.

The squirrels have been starting to catch on more to all of the bird food locations. Today, when we got home, we spotted the squirrel on the tree trunk having a feast with the last crumbles of the suet. Even after running outside and trying to scare the little bugger away by stomping, clapping and yelling, it hardly budged. I finally let my anger get the best of me and started throwing stones and dirt to chase it away!